I have decided to seriously search for a noble teacher to possibly be ordain under. So I was wondering if anyone could recommend a highly regarded teacher? I prefer a teacher in the Thai forest tradition who can speak fluent English. I am also open to any noble teacher from Sri Lanka as well.

hello rowyourboat, do you know that monastery? have you been there? I am looking for a monastery to do a 3-4 weeks retreat to learn and practise more things about buddhism, and I like this place, but I don't see any email or address to contact with this monastery, could you help me with it? Thank You.

The heart of the path is SO simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are. That is all I do in my own practice. Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. When you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing. Of course, there are dozens of meditation techniques to develop samadhi and many kinds of vipassana. But it all comes back to this - just let it all be. Step over here where it is cool, out of the battle. - Ajahn Chah

hello rowyourboat, do you know that monastery? have you been there? I am looking for a monastery to do a 3-4 weeks retreat to learn and practise more things about buddhism, and I like this place, but I don't see any email or address to contact with this monastery, could you help me with it? Thank You.

Hi Daniel,

It might be best to just call them up on their phone line (Tel:0094 602 339 193) and speak to someone. Alternatively (or in addition) If you could send me some details about yourself and what you want to do I can pass it on to Ven Dhammajiva, who will get back to you on it. (please email me on 'matheeshag'at'hotmail.com)

The OP is looking for a 'Noble Teacher'...and good luck to him/her...although (my) reality compels me to say that all of the subsequent 'recommendations' will not give (what I consider to be) the desired outcome...the people mentioned give talks but not the personalized instruction that I get the feeling the OP is looking for...in fact it would be difficult to find any 'name' that does...if asked I would recommend reading the Suttas and go with the Noblest Teacher from the git go...just a bit of reflection from personal observation...

In early April 2010 senior members of the Forest Sangha associated with the monasteries in Europe met at Amaravati for their usual annual gathering. From 6–10 April, 21 theras and 6 theris (monks and nuns respectively of over 10 years training) conducted mixed and separate meetings to address community business.

One of the most important items was a formal announcement by Luang Por Sumedho of his intention to retire from being abbot at Amaravati. Luang Por had earlier expressed his wish that Ajahn Amaro from Abhayagiri Monastery in California (who attended these meetings) take up the role of abbot following his own departure at the end of this year. After meeting with the monks and nuns at Amaravati and with the Elders’ Council, Ajahn Amaro was heartily welcomed to take up Luang Por’s invitation, and it was agreed that he will become the new abbot at Amaravati.

It is Luang Por Sumedho's wish initially to return to live in Thailand, probably at Wat Nong Pah Pong. He plans to depart soon after this year's Kathina at Amaravati on 14th November. For further information please see www.amaravati.org

appicchato wrote:if asked I would recommend reading the Suttas and go with the Noblest Teacher from the git go...just a bit of reflection from personal observation...

The Buddha is cool.

Metta,Retro.

"When we transcend one level of truth, the new level becomes what is true for us. The previous one is now false. What one experiences may not be what is experienced by the world in general, but that may well be truer. (Ven. Nanananda)

“I hope, Anuruddha, that you are all living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.” (MN 31)

appicchato wrote:The OP is looking for a 'Noble Teacher'...and good luck to him/her...although (my) reality compels me to say that all of the subsequent 'recommendations' will not give (what I consider to be) the desired outcome...the people mentioned give talks but not the personalized instruction that I get the feeling the OP is looking for...in fact it would be difficult to find any 'name' that does...if asked I would recommend reading the Suttas and go with the Noblest Teacher from the git go...just a bit of reflection from personal observation...

You are right Bhante. That's exactly the type of teacher I am looking for. I know it is hard to find such noble teacher so I have always depended on my suttas for guidance. But I believe a noble one exist today, so I hope to find such teacher who can give me personal instructions.

So you should train yourselves: 'We will keep practicing the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma, we will keep practicing masterfully, we will live in accordance with the Dhamma.That's how you should train yourselves."

Sanghamitta wrote:Ajahn Amaro has just taken over as Abbott of Chithurst and part of his remit will certainly entail preparing people for ordination.

Hello,

I think Ajahn Amaro is the new abbot of Amaravati Monastery... Not Chithurst

Metta.

Andrew

Sorry slip of the typing finger..thanks for the correction. .Anyway Wind, a Noble Teacher In the Forest Tradition who speaks fluent English, he IS English, part of whose remit will be to train those who profess an interest in ordination.

The going for refuge is the door of entrance to the teachings of the Buddha.

Are you suggesting that some teachers are ignoble and you want to avoid them?

The best way to decide which teacher you want to stay with long term is to go and spend a few weeks or months on retreat with any or all teachers that might interest you until you find one you want to stay with.

Most people have had more than one teacher and you can learn a lot by learning from any and every teacher. It's good to find one you really want to stay with long term but it doesn't always happen like that so in the words of the song "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with".

"Right effort is effort with wisdom. Because where there is wisdom, there is interest. The desire to know something is wisdom at work. Being mindful is not difficult. But it’s difficult to be continuously aware. For that you need right effort. But it does not require a great deal of energy. It’s relaxed perseverance in reminding yourself to be aware. When you are aware, wisdom unfolds naturally, and there is still more interest." - Sayadaw U Tejaniya

There are many teachers out there. A few are famous, but that doesn't mean that the others are worthless. And as has already been mentioned, it's unlikely you'll be able to get a lot of personal attention from a famous teacher. (Not that it's not worthwhile to have such contact if you have the opportunity, of course.)